Douglas Students Plan Walkouts In Call For Stricter Gun Laws

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Students from at least four Douglas County schools are planning to join a national movement by staging a walkout in March to protest recent gun violence in schools in a call for stricter laws.

The March 14 walkout, set to coordinate with the National School Walkout day, is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., according to an event posting on the main campaign website.

In Douglas County, students from the following schools have announced they're participating:

• Chapel Hill High School
• Alexander High School
• Douglas County High School
• Stewart Middle School

The walkout events are planned across the country after 17 students, teachers, and coaches were killed and numerous people injured in the Valentine's Day massacre. Students participating in the National Walkout will leave their classrooms for 17 minutes – one minute for each life taken at the school on Feb. 14, according to organizers.

Students say they are working with administrators to carry out their plans for protest.

The Douglas County School District has addressed the situation ahead of time and Superintendent Trent North has made a statement.

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"We are aware of the planned walkouts by students at Douglas County High School and other Douglas County schools in coming weeks," North wrote. " We recognize the rights of our students to exercise their right to protest and express themselves by walking out. We support their desire to voice their concerns and to implement change in their community. We want all of our students to graduate and become responsible, civic-minded citizens.

"However," continues the statement, "we will not encourage students to protest by walking out while school is in session. There are numerous safety concerns associated with groups of students exiting our secured campuses in support of events publicized on social media."

As an alternative, the Douglas County School System will offer suggestions to students on other means of communicating their desire for change that do not involve leaving school property. Teachers and administrators will assist students in this effort by spearheading classroom dialogues and suggesting ways to communicate directly with elected officials. Additionally, administrators will designate a safe place on campus for students to express themselves in a peaceful protest.

"The safety of students, faculty and staff will always be a top priority for the Douglas County School System," concludes the statement. "Law enforcement will be present in the event students decide to leave campus. As always, we will continue to work with students and administrators to ensure that our campuses remain a safe learning environment."

National organizers say the walkout is intended to be a step towards action.
"We need action. Students and allies are organizing the national school walkout to demand Congress pass legislation to keep us safe from gun violence at our schools, on our streets and in our homes and places of worship," according to the nationwide event page.

AP Photo/Evan Vucci